Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-01
THE GERMAN ARMY.
THE cRoUcHiNG TIGER READY ON
THE FRENCH FRONTIER LINE.

observation-disclosures - Privstes-Extrs-
ordinary system.
Once inside the city Of Metz You find
discipline, hard work and the results OF
perfect military system Fully half the
people you see on the streets are soldiers.
In the city of Metz to-day there are 26 coo
men. Along the frontier, in positions
where they can be concentrated upon The
border within twenty-four hours. there
are over 200. coo men. In time OF peace
the confinement of so large number OF
men as are at Metz within such circun-
scribed quarters would simply result in
license, idleness ami dissipation. But
there is nothing Of the sort Ia lie seer at
Metz. The men are too constantly occu-
pied. The private soldiers are turned out
az o'clock in the morning. Ii Is drill,
drill from morning till right. The men
are marched and countermarched They
are exercised in every form of evolution
which could be employed in actual war.
The officers are constantly securing the
country hunting up new difficulties 10
teach their men to overcome by prelimi-
nary drill Such discipline, such subor-
dination, | do not think was ever sur-
passed in any army. The officers wear
their uniforms constantly. Ii is brea b
of discipline and of tie most serious char-
acter for them to appear in public N
civilian dress These officers have no time
for social Inequalities They never make
calls or accept invitations, except among
themselves There is very little entertain
ing even among the officers Oh the border.
They are too occupied with their military
duties, in the perfecting of this treinen-
deus military machine which each day
grows more and more formids bic.
The perfection Of the discipline of the
German army can only he understood ny
witnessing its actual operation To beain
with, the private soldiers are thoroughly
trained physically as well as in the men
tai details OF the military profession They
are all eco, plished gymnasts. Although
the me i'll rlaGy of the regiments are =
medium SIS they look ST :oi :, hary and
resolu'". III German srr, is e'f-c.ly
demo" ratio in lc placing I IS non, mo
sons If the be. families, VI wish ere
to serve their three years IL ny. ii;vt 20
begin i'll the ranks us comm9n soldiers.
Those who wish to adopt the army rs a
profession are placed in special schools
and according TO the examinations they
are placed in correspondingly better posi-
ton than those who are merely serving
a man enters the army his private social
position is absolutely ignored. | hes I'd
when | WAS in Metz Of son of n most
distinguished family being called upon to
do lis three years service. His head
gardener, who was called ont at the SAME
time and who had previously served Was
given his old position as sergeant. Tho
young nobleman was placed in the ranks
as a private and under the command IT
his servant, the gardener The very tirst
day OF his service the privates of his COM
pany were put to wheeling dirt for some
breastworks. The sergeant could not
bear to see his masters son engaged III
this mental work and took off his coat ard
did his share for him, but this simply re-
suited in the punishment Of the sergeant
for a breach OF discipline.
The respect which Il subordinate must
pay to his superior extends throughout
every hour and minute OF the day. Wher-
ever the subordinate meets his superior in
rank lie mist extend to him the same OH
cial reco'-nition OF this superiority that
he would exhibit upon the actual parade
ground. The first night Of my arrival in
Metz | was dining at the table d hole,
when heavy, thick set German officer
entered the room. 4 slight aristocratic
was leisurely eating his dinner and talk
ing with IL friend when this officer entered
the room. The moment the latter entered
the young officer stood mp from the table
and saluted. He stood with his hand Mt
the side of his head in the ATTITUDE Il
salute until the advancing officer returned
the salute and told him politely To sit
down. in this particular case | after
wards learned that the officer superior in
rank WAS former tradesman in the town
where thu; Younger officer, the only son Of
Il noble family, WAS one of its So
cial leaders The two men in civil life
would not know each ther socially, But in
the army the bridesmaids position COM
manded the absolute respect and obedience
Of the nobleman. merely give this m
stance rs an illustration OF the absolute
perfection Of the military suhordinaton in
the German army. | noticed this cJn-
stantly as the officers came into the dining
room. Every officer Who came in Saluted
those present. and those saluied either
arose or bowed for; ally, according to
their relative ranks. The working Of this
discipline, which was shown in a hotel
dining room, was of course common ut all
places of public or private meeting. When
the officers pass each other upon the
streets, no matter if it is twenty times a
day, the same ceremony, OILY in II more
curt fashion, is gone through with. The
punishment for any breach q q icipline is
swift and severe. Yet ia spice Tie rigor
Of the discipline and the tremendous work
involved. all of the officers ard the men
look comfort allie and conttntCd.
But in nothing is the perfection of prep
aration shown more than in tho signals at
night end Ill the sudden arming and turn
ing out of the entire force along the from
tier upon the shortest possible notice.
The German soldier, when he retires at
night, never knows whether he will be
called out within the next ten minutes or
at any time of night At O'Clock the
signal will be given and then IN order is
called out for the men, and instantly the
entire garrison ut Metz will be placed in
line. Men will be sent out at double
quick up and down the streets, cavalry
will 80 Gathering out into the darkness,
the artillerymen will be whipped ont at
their posts with the same swiftncsS and
rush as if the enemy were actually at
their gates And then there viii follow a
shower of rockets. These lead to hillside
fires, one hillside lights up another, and so
the blaze of light runs along down the
long line Of the frontier calling out by its
signals the men at distant posts. Moth
ing that could happen now in the way OF
demonstration upon the part of France
could find the Germans unprepared. They
are united, la. jnious and have q perfect
military arm C. Crawford's Letter in
New York World